New Orleans Saints - TeamReport

The New Orleans Saints were happy, but not overjoyed, at what they were able to accomplish in 2013 after a miserable season one year earlier.

They were thrilled to finish 11-5 and get to the NFC divisional playoffs after a suspension-riddled 2012 season produced a 7-9 record and left them out of the playoffs for the first time since 2008.

Yet, they were disappointed they weren't able to cash in when they had an opportunity to win the NFC South title and clinch the No. 2 playoff seed that would have earned them at least one home playoff game instead of having to go on the road.

But the Saints can still feel good about their revival, especially on the defensive side of the ball, which helped get them back in the playoffs instead of watching from home.

As a result, coach Sean Payton and his players believe the "window" of opportunity is still wide open for them as they look forward to their goals for 2014 and beyond.

"It's obviously more difficult the closer you get when you aren't able to accomplish those (goals)," he said. "But then, discussing the challenges this team faced, the way they responded, there are a lot of things that kind of motivate me (and) excite me about coaching them going forward."

"I thought they handled a lot of things this year coming off everything a year ago," Payton added, "the injuries, none of these things were discussed as excuses, but just any time we had a tough setback, tough losses, the response the next week. They made it not only enjoyable, but stimulating to coach because we were always on to the next challenge."

Quarterback Drew Brees was one of several players who talked after their season-ending, 23-15 divisional playoff loss to the Seattle Seahawks about the window of opportunity.

Brees cited the veteran leadership, young talent, the system and the organization and track record in the last five seasons -- as well as the expectations they've set for themselves -- as things that will continue to serve them well.

"You would say that the future is as bright as we want it to be ... as hard as we are willing to work," he said. "It's all there for us now.

"Every year's a new year and you have to re-establish that identity every year. But the term 'window of opportunity,' in my opinion, it's always there for us -- for this team, for this organization, for this staff, for this group of players. It's always open."

Payton said he was encouraged by the roles some young players had to step up and fill when the team was decimated by injuries -- especially on defense.

"That window is still all the way open, and I mean that," Payton said. "We're always in a constant change, if you will, of taking in new players, evaluating this team and then going through the process of beginning to assemble the 2014 team.

"(But) as long as I'm the head coach here, we are trying to slam (the window) open ... always."

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NFL Team Report - New Orleans Saints - NOTES, QUOTES

--Saints safety Rafael Bush was fined $21,000 by the NFL for his hit on from Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Percy Harvin during last Saturday's NFC divisional playoff game.

Harvin suffered a concussion in the first half of Seattle's win over New Orleans that will keep him out of Sunday's NFC Championship game against the San Francisco 49ers.

Bush acknowledged the animosity directed at him by Seahawks fans and responded on Twitter.

"What's up with all the (people) in my mentions all the seahawks fans should(n't) y'all worry about the 49ers??" Bush tweeted. "Anybody know me knows I play fast and physical but it's all good y'all have a blessed day."

Bush was penalized for the hit during the Seahawks' opening drive. Harvin went to the locker room in the first quarter and returned in the second quarter, but he did not play in the second half.

Besides Bush, the NFL levied fines from last weekend's playoff games to Carolina Panthers cornerback Josh Thomas for unsportsmanlike conduct, San Francisco 49ers running back Frank Gore for a face mask and the Indianapolis Colts cornerback Darius Butler for unnecessary roughness. Each was fined $7,875.

--The first order of business for the Saints over the next month or so is determining which of their 15 unrestricted free agents they plan to try and re-sign.

The list, of course, is topped by All-Pro tight end Jimmy Graham, who could be in line to receive a contract in the neighborhood of $10 million per season after catching 301 passes for 3,863 yards and 41 touchdowns in his first four seasons.

Graham will certainly be one of the league's most-sought free agents although he likely won't hit the open market and will be franchised if he and the team don't agree on a new deal.